What is empyema?
There is normally very clear fluid between the lung membranes (called pleura) in the chest cavity. Fluid accumulation in this space (see: Pleural Effusion) is a condition that can be seen in diseases of both the lung and some other organs. When an infection develops in this fluid, we call it Pleural Infection – Empyema.
What are the causes of empyema?
Empyema is usually and most commonly a complication of pneumonia, which is an infection in the lung. After a severe lung infection, fluid may collect in the lining of the lung (parapneumonic fluid). If infection develops in this fluid, the fluid will become thicker, cloudy and even more dense, often with a foul odor. We call this condition empyema. It can be seen in different stages, from the pleural fluid becoming infected to the fluid turning into a cloudy white-gray thick pus. In some diseases, an infected cavity, abscess, infected cyst, etc. in the lung can also open to the pleura and cause a similar empyema picture.
Another cause of empyema is trauma to the chest and foreign bodies entering the chest. Infection in the pleural cavity may develop due to such external factors.
Rarely, empyema can also occur as a complication of lung surgery. Especially after open thoracic operations (lung, esophagus, trachea, etc.) there is a small chance of it occurring. This rate is much lower in closed thoracic operations (VATS).
Who can get empyema?
People in poor general health, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune system (due to cancer or other diseases) are more likely to develop empyema.
What are the symptoms of empyema?
– fatigue,
– fewer
– pain,
– shortness of breath,
– loss of appetite,
– bad breath and bad breath
– weight loss
How is empyema treated?
In the case of empyema, the accumulated inflammatory fluid in the pleural space must be drained. Empyema is a very serious condition that may require long-term treatment. In case of early intervention, empyema can be treated with chest tube placement and appropriate antibiotics, while in long-term cases, more advanced surgical interventions may be necessary.
If drainage with a chest tube is inadequate, even before the chest tube is inserted, a videothoracoscopic (VATS) procedure can be performed to drain the inflammation in the chest cavity and to clean the area by washing the chest cavity with solutions. Patients who undergo VATS at an early stage can recover quickly and prevent the disease from progressing to the chronic stage.
In some late cases, open surgery may be necessary to clear the infection in pleural space and peel the thickened pleura.
